HC Deb 04 November 1909 vol 12 c1983
Dr. RUTHERFORD

asked how many times the Government of India have intervened by inquiry or otherwise in the decisions of the Chief Courts of the Punjab and the High Court of Calcutta since 1906?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The fact of a Provincial Government or the Government of India undertaking inquiry into a matter which the High or Chief Court may consider calls for further inqury by the Executive is not to be described as "intervening in the decisions" of those courts. It is not action in derogation of such decisions, but to supplement the action of the courts or to resolve doubts suggested by the courts. The Secretary of State is not aware of the exact number of cases in which such inquiries have been held since 1906, and does not think it necessary to inquire.

Dr. RUTHERFORD

Might I ask if the number has been considerable?